The Spain international has been out of action since fracturing his tibia in the Blaugrana's Club World Cup semi-final clash with Al Sadd last December.

The striker had hoped to return before the end of last season but he was ultimately forced to admit defeat in his bid to prove his fitness for his country's Euro 2012 campaign in Poland and Ukraine.

Villa has spent the summer continuing his rehabilitation, and although he was forced to sit out Tito Vilanova's first game since succeeding Pep Guardiola as coach - against Hamburg on Tuesday - it is thought that the former Valencia man's comeback has been pencilled in for the August 8 meeting with United in Stockholm.

Facing the Red Devils will bring back many happy memories for Villa, who netted the crucial third goal in Barca's 3-1 victory over the Premier League giants in the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley.